Overview

The Blorbs — a mysterious disease grotesquely swelling Toads across the Mushroom Kingdom

Fawful’s Vacuum Shroom causes Bowser to inhale Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach

Enter the belly of the beast with the Mario Brothers! In his evil plot to take over the Mushroom Kingdom, Fawful tricks Bowser into eating a magic mushroom. The mushroom causes Bowser to begin inhaling everything around him, including Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach! Do the Mario Bros. have the guts to rescue Peach and escape?

Players are in control of two separate storylines. One features Bowser and his efforts to stop an arch-villain from taking over his castle. The microbe-sized Mario & Luigi must muscle their way through challenges and keep their nerve if they want to find a way out. They take action to control Bowser from the inside — but without his knowledge. Players can switch between storylines at will.

What happens inside Bowser affects what he’s doing on the outside. Sometimes Mario & Luigi must solve puzzles and challenges behind the scenes to help Bowser overcome various obstacles and advance the plot. Players must make well-timed button presses to enhance their performance during battles and challenges.

Story

The Dark Star — ancient evil sealed inside Peach’s Castle that Fawful seeks to unleash

The Boo-Ray Machine in Tower of Yikk — key to defeating the Dark Star

After Mushroom Kingdom citizens start contracting the Blorbs — a disease that grotesquely swells Toads — Princess Peach holds an emergency conference at her castle. Bowser crashes in, is easily defeated by Mario, and lands in Dimble Wood where a cloaked merchant (Fawful in disguise) gives him a “Lucky Mushroom” — the Vacuum Shroom. Returning to Peach’s Castle, Bowser inadvertently inhales everyone present.

Mario, Luigi and Starlow awaken inside Bowser’s Trash Pit. Starlow disguises herself as “Chippy” to avoid revealing Mario’s presence to Bowser. The bros explore his body from the inside — activating muscles, defeating infections, unlocking abilities — all without Bowser’s knowledge. Meanwhile, Fawful has seized Bowser’s Castle and brainwashed his minions, seeking the Dark Star, an ancient evil power sealed in Peach’s Castle.

Bowser hunts down three Star Cures to counter the Dark Star — held by the sage Wisdurm, hidden in his own treasure vault, and guarded by the ancient Kuzzle. After gathering all three and creating the Miracle Cure to heal the Blorbs, the Dark Star absorbs Bowser’s DNA and becomes Dark Bowser. Mario and Luigi battle the Dark Star Core inside Bowser while he fights Dark Bowser outside in a spectacular giant clash. Fawful absorbs the Dark Star’s power for one final stand — but is ultimately destroyed, and peace returns to the Mushroom Kingdom.

The Miracle Cure — crafted from three Star Cures, it heals the Blorbs and weakens the Dark Star

The celebratory cake marking the end of the adventure

Gameplay

Timed button presses power up attacks — the battle system rewards precision and reflexes

Bowser’s Inside Story is an RPG with two intertwined gameplay modes played simultaneously. The top screen shows Bowser exploring the Mushroom Kingdom overworld and fighting in turn-based battles. The bottom screen shows Mario and Luigi exploring inside Bowser’s body — a vast labyrinth of biological environments — with their own battles and puzzles.

The two worlds are directly connected. When Bowser flexes a muscle, Mario and Luigi must power it from inside. When bosses are too large for normal combat, Bowser grows giant and battles play out on the DS touch screen using stylus swipes. Every action in one world affects the other.

Battle system: Turn-based combat rewards timing — pressing A or B at the right moment boosts attacks; well-timed dodges avoid damage entirely. Defeating enemies earns EXP and coins. Giant battles are fought on the touch screen using stylus gestures and are some of the game’s most spectacular set pieces.

Stats

Mario, Luigi and Bowser each have independent stat sets levelled separately. Bowser uses HORN instead of STACHE. On each level-up, players choose which stats to prioritise.

HPHeart Points — health. Reach zero and character faints.

SPSpecial Points — fuel for Special Attacks and Bros. Moves.

POWPower — determines damage dealt to enemies.

DEFDefense — reduces damage received from enemy attacks.

SPEEDDetermines turn order in battle and evasion.

STC

STACHEMario & Luigi only — affects luck, item discounts, critical hits.

HRN

HORNBowser only — equivalent to STACHE; affects luck and critical hits.

Ranks are awarded at milestone levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold, Mushroom, Flower, Star and Shine — each granting bonus stat boosts. The Final Rank is awarded to Bowser upon completing the game.

Attacks & Special Moves

Bowser’s Special Attacks

Bowser unlocks six Special Attacks by rescuing his trapped minions from Fawful’s cages. Each is activated using DS touch screen gestures.

Bros. Attacks

Mario and Luigi share eight cooperative Bros. Attacks requiring timed button input from both brothers simultaneously.

Characters

Playable

Mario & LuigiPlayable BrosThe brotherly duo trapped inside Bowser. Mario uses A, Luigi uses B in battle — working together with timed button presses to unleash Bros. Attacks.

BowserPlayableExplores the Mushroom Kingdom overworld and battles enemies and giant bosses on the touch screen — unknowingly carrying Mario and Luigi inside him the entire time.

Villains

FawfulMain VillainA bean-like villain obsessed with conquest and “chortles.” Seizes Bowser’s Castle, brainwashes his minions, and ultimately absorbs the Dark Star’s power for a final desperate stand.

MidbusEnforcerFawful’s hulking boar-like muscle. Battles Bowser multiple times, transforming into the icy Blizzard Midbus for the final confrontation before defeat.

Dark StarTrue AntagonistAn ancient evil sealed in Peach’s Castle. Absorbs Bowser’s DNA to become Dark Bowser — the true final boss, requiring simultaneous battle inside and outside Bowser.

Supporting Cast

StarlowStar Sprite GuideThe Mario Bros.’ guide inside Bowser. Disguises herself as “Chippy” when talking to Bowser to avoid revealing their presence inside him.

Broque MonsieurSupportingA bipedal creature made of ? Blocks and his dog Broggy. Provides Bowser the Vacuum Block and eventually becomes an ally.

Private GoompSupportingA loyal but dim Goomba in Bowser’s army. Part of the bumbling trio alongside Sergeant Guy and Corporal Paraplonk.

Sergeant GuySupportingA green Shy Guy carrying a pipe and Magikoopa wand — part of Bowser’s elite trio.

Corporal ParaplonkSupportingA red Paratroopa with a bucket on its head, completing Bowser’s bumbling trio with Goomp and Sergeant Guy.

Dr. Toadley & BirdleySupportingAn eccentric Toad doctor with his bird companion Birdley. Holds key information about the Star Cures needed to counter the Dark Star.

Inside Bowser Characters

Mario, Luigi and Starlow inside Bowser — exploring his biological world without his knowledge

Emoglobin — block-like creatures inside Bowser who provide hints and assist with minigames

Other Residents & Enemies

ChakronBossA meditative giant inside Bowser’s body who guards secrets and challenges the brothers with unique combat mechanics.

BlittiesCollectiblesCat-like creatures made of ? Blocks found throughout the game. Collecting them all rewards Bowser with stat bonuses.

BlodogEnemy / NPCA round blob-like dog creature encountered during the adventure inside Bowser’s body.

Broque MadameSupportingAnother ? Block creature — Broque Monsieur’s counterpart, encountered during the adventure.

Some of the colourful cast of characters that make Bowser’s Inside Story so memorable

Bowser and his Goomba army — key to some of his most powerful Special Attacks

Locations

The adventure spans two interconnected worlds — the Mushroom Kingdom and the interior of Bowser’s body. Some areas are exclusive to Bowser or Mario & Luigi.

Mario, Luigi and Starlow navigate the Mushroom Kingdom overworld between Bowser’s interior adventures

The trio face countless challenges across 15 overworld locations and 20 areas inside Bowser’s body

Key Items

The Snack Basket — Luigi’s Bros. Attack that tosses food to Bowser from inside, restoring his HP mid-battle

Toads across the Mushroom Kingdom are afflicted by the Blorbs — the crisis that sets the entire adventure in motion

Memorable Quotes

Bowser’s Inside Story is renowned for its sharp, hilarious writing. These quotes appeared in Nintendo’s official Mushroom Kingdom Tribune promotional newspaper and throughout the game:

Reception & Sales

Bowser’s Inside Story received critical acclaim — the highest-rated game in the Mario & Luigi series. Reviewers praised its dual-screen gameplay, humour, storyline, and the inspired choice to make Bowser a playable hero.

Sales

Bowser’s Inside Story sold 4.13 million copies worldwide as of March 31, 2011, making it the best-selling RPG in the entire Super Mario franchise.

Videos

More Bowser’s Inside Story